Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-06

against shotgun that we oyertatie the
party we're after on the Pecos tonight,
without they see Us first, and keep on
without camping. If they do they'll be
in the hills in the morning. But if they
don't see US they'll think nobody is after
them and rest and feed there."
Renewing their course, the party rode
on, and within an hour were not only
joined by the six first seen, but in sight of
more than half of TIE whole party of
Rangers. Seeing thst ell of the trails led
to one point, the timber range on the
Pecos, and as they were now very rapidly
nearing it, the Major deemed it prudent
to halt his men, and sent some of the best
mounted to cross TIE trails from right to
left and thus intercept the others who
were coming up. By the main trail where
they were they could see that q large pro-
portion OF those whom they were pErsu-
ing had united.
CHAPTER XXXvI.
They were on the Rio Pecos ct last
Lagona and his haplCss csptive--Ada and
her entire band. A grand old forest was
that which guarded the banks of the
bright and rushing wster-and glad were
the exhausted riders and their almost
worn out horses when they halted with
in it.
"We'll camp here, will we not, Miss
AdaG" asked Malerson, as they drew up,
after their long and fstiguing ride.
"That viii be as Lsgona advises" said
she.
81 don't care what he says-our horses
are completely stove up and can't bulge
another mile. If we're followed Pm ready
! for fght-bUt as TO travelling further till
we've ate, and drank, and slept, and our
| horses had bite, I'll not do it for any
heather that runsi AS say so say all!
| Don't you bOys?"
"Yes-Captain Jack, yes!" was the
general reply.
every good-you sleep, eat-get drunk
If you like! We will rest and then go
! ont" said Lagena. with a look of con-
tempt on those who gave out so easily.
And he rode away little further apart
from the rest, where he dismOunted and
prepared refreshments for Stella and Ada,
while their horses were feeding.
Malerson and his men, without the
least sign of prudence, built up their
camp fires, stacked their arms, unSaddled
their horses, turned them out to feed,
and then fastened to refresh themselves.
"We're clear of danger now, boys. Old
Ben Mccullough himself never would fol-
low US so far, let alone the planter, and such
q scurvy set as he has around his ranch.
We're safe; let's make a night OF it.
We've lots Of rum left, and soon Well
make dash for some place where we
can get more. Here's to our noble
seIves!"
And his upturned flask did honor to his
sentiment.
All was now lively in the robber camp.
The men were cooking, eating and drink
ing TO their hearts, content.
After delay of little more than an hour
LagOna called in his horse and that of
Ada; and, without word to the carous-
ing crew, rode away up the stream with
his prize.
"By-bye, Miss Ada. Wen be along
after you when the SUMS up!" shouted
MalersOn, half drunk, as he saw them go
of. And then he took another strong
pull at his flask, and wrapping himself in
his blanket lay down to sleep.
CHAPTER XxXyu
"Don-don't be in such a duce of
hurry, boys! Who is that g. keckin' me,
their lawfully Elected captain?" granted
Jack Malerson, some hours after he had
lain down to sleep.
Aroused by some numerically severe
kicks, he now learned two facts-one of
them Of astounding Importance, so far as
he was concerned. It was broad day.
light, first; and next, every man of his
band was secured and tied, and his
greatest dread, Ben Mccullough, was
standing over him, with the ropes ready
to fix him in the same way as soon as he
gained sitting posture.
"Lord! don't kick so hard, old fellow!
Remember, you wear 0oots!" said NAL
erson, as an expression of terror, mingled
with pain, came out upon his scottish
countenance.
"Get up, you internal scoundrel, and
let me rope you, them" said the MsiOr.
"You might have done it while l was
asleep, without making such fuss about
it," grOwled Malerson. "Here, don't
tie my hands till I've taken my morning
bitters!" he added, raising his flask to
his lips.
"Murder! IT. all gone-I must have
emptied it last night" he groaned, drop
ping the now useless friend upon the
ground, and submitting his arms to the
rope, winch was used to tie them behind
his back.
"Ah! you here, Paul, my boy-you
here, and see your poor old father treated
in this ere way-kicked, cuffed, and tied
up like pig to be carted to MARKET"
said he, recognizing his son.
81 am here; but in robber and villian |
like yourself recognize no relationship" /
said the young man bitterly.
elbow unnatural! What wicked boy? |
But you'll do your poor old dad one |
favor, won't you? See if some of the |
boys haven't got a little rum left, and |
give me mOistener, to drive away the |
blue devils. Now do, boy, and I'll fol-
give the rest of your conduct"
Paul turned away in utter disgust from
him without attending to the request.
"Where is my daughter, you double
dyed villain-where is my daughter?"
asked Mr.. Delorme.
'When l ask questions aud want 'em
generally use civil tcngue!"
said the captain, coolly.
"tor Heavens sake tell me where nv
daughter is" groaned the wretched
iather.
"Ah, nowyou talk! I've respect for
heaven, though l never expect to get
here. Give me drink of liquor and III
ell, to the best of my knowledge, where
7our daughter Isl" replied Malerson.
A flask was brought and applied to the
'lQ raScalS 1lpSJ LOT ne was so tied that
Re could not help himself. After swaI-
owing until he was in some danger of
choking, he paused, and Mr.. Delorme
hen repeated the question.
"Well, as far as I'm capable of know
ng, old gentleman" said Malerson, as
Don as he could get his breath to reply,
your daughter is with q mighty cute In
ian, that calls himself Lagona, and Just {
s smart white girl as ever put on trogs- ,
Miss McAlpin, former sweet ,
cart Of my ungrateful son, that Master {
'aul, there. They left here shortly after +